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Matthew Stafford is still the man under center for the Los Angeles Rams.
If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the 2025-2026 NFL season, you might’ve missed just how much Stafford has turned back the clock. People keep waiting for the 37-year-old to fall off a cliff. Instead, he just led the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Honestly, it's kinda ridiculous. At an age when most quarterbacks are looking at broadcasting contracts, Stafford is currently the frontrunner for NFL MVP.
He's throwing to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams (yeah, the Rams actually pulled that off) like he’s ten years younger.
The Matthew Stafford Era in 2026: Still Elite
Entering January 2026, Stafford isn't just "the guy" by default. He's arguably playing the best football of his entire career. Last season—the 2025 regular season that just wrapped up—Stafford put up some video game numbers. We are talking 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. He only threw eight interceptions all year.
That is elite efficiency.
There was a lot of talk last offseason about his back. Reporters were worried. Fans were worried. Sean McVay even looked a little stressed during training camp when Stafford had to sit out for a month with a nagging injury. But once the lights came on, those concerns basically evaporated.
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The relationship between Stafford and McVay has evolved into something rare in the NFL. It’s almost psychic at this point. They've shifted to a "year-to-year" mentality, which sounds scary for fans, but it seems to be working. They recently finalized a deal that paid him $44 million for the 2025 season, and he has a $40 million roster bonus coming up in March 2026.
If he wants to keep playing, the Rams are clearly happy to keep paying.
Who is the Backup Quarterback for the Rams?
Behind Stafford, the depth chart has some very familiar names. Jimmy Garoppolo is currently the primary backup. Jimmy G re-signed with the Rams for the 2025 season because he reportedly loved the culture in the building. He’s the ultimate "break glass in case of emergency" option.
Right now, as the Rams head into their Divisional Round matchup against the Chicago Bears, Garoppolo is actually dealing with a back injury of his own. He's listed as questionable. If he can't go, the next man up is Stetson Bennett.
Bennett is an interesting case. The former Georgia legend spent much of 2024 away from the team for personal reasons, but he’s been back and serving as the emergency QB3 for the entire 2025 season. He hasn't seen regular-season action yet, but he’s been getting a ton of reps in practice.
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The QB room currently looks like this:
- Starter: Matthew Stafford (The MVP favorite)
- Backup: Jimmy Garoppolo (Veteran safety net)
- Third-string: Stetson Bennett (The developmental piece)
Why the Rams Quarterback Situation is Different Now
A few years ago, the Rams were known for "f-them picks" and trading away the future. Now, they've actually built a sustainable nest around Stafford. Bringing in Davante Adams to pair with Puka Nacua changed everything. It gave Stafford two of the best route-runners in the game, making his job significantly easier.
Stafford’s health is the only real variable. He’s 37. He’s had the back issues. He’s had the "right finger" injury mentioned in recent injury reports. But the guy is tough as nails. He’s playing through a finger issue right now as the Rams look to make another Super Bowl run.
Some analysts, like Mike Florio from NBC Sports, have pointed out that Stafford’s contract is going to be a massive talking point this coming spring. Because he's playing so well, he might actually deserve a raise over his current $40 million-a-year structure. It’s wild to think about a player getting a raise at age 38, but that’s the Stafford effect.
Looking Toward the 2026 Offseason
What happens after this playoff run?
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The Rams have a decision to make. They haven't really drafted a "successor" yet, unless you count Bennett, who the team seems to view more as a high-end backup than a locked-in starter of the future. There were rumors that teams like the Giants or Raiders would try to trade for Stafford last year, but that feels like a lifetime ago.
Sean McVay recently joked that Stafford could play ten more years. While that’s probably hyperbole, nobody is talking about retirement anymore.
Actionable Insights for Rams Fans
If you’re tracking the Rams' quarterback situation for fantasy, betting, or just general fandom, here is what you need to keep an eye on over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the injury report for the Divisional Round: Stafford is a "Full" participant despite a finger injury, but Jimmy Garoppolo (Back) is the one to watch. If Jimmy is out, Stetson Bennett moves to the active backup spot.
- Watch the March 2026 Roster Bonus: This is the trigger for Stafford’s future. If he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the 2026 league year, another $40 million becomes guaranteed. That will be the definitive signal that he’s returning for the 2026-2027 season.
- Keep an eye on the Davante Adams chemistry: The connection between Stafford and Adams has been the secret sauce for the Rams' league-leading offense this year.
Matthew Stafford is currently playing the best football in the NFL. As long as he stays upright, the Rams' quarterback situation is the envy of about 28 other teams.